Celebrations were in order as the Aviva Great Britain & Northern Ireland team took a thrilling victory at the Aviva International Match at Kelvin Hall.

In an exciting event where the deciding result went right to the wire, GB beat the USA team 63 points to 60, with Germany, Commonwealth Select and Sweden following on.

Jessica Ennis gave the Kelvin Hall the best possible start to the afternoon with a UK Indoor record and a superlative performance over 60m – disposing of defending World Indoor Champion Lolo Jones in the process and setting the fastest time in the world this year.

The Sheffield athlete, who was guesting in the event, surprised the Glasgow crowd but moreso herself in taking just 7.95 seconds to take the victory and pick up the prize of $5000.

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Immediately after she said:

“I’m shocked, absolutely shocked. The season’s started up really well.

“Obviously I’m made up and hope that I can do something similar in the high jump,” she said before speeding off to put her final preparations in place. And similar it was, as Ennis cleared 1.94m to take second position – an indoor PB and signs that everything in her training is headed in the right direction.

“I felt in good shape before I came here but to come and do all that in front of a big crowd, with it being on TV and everything, that’s great. You always worry you’re not going to perform well when everyone’s watching.

“And beating Lolo Jones. That’s mad! I never really expect to win here because it’s such a high calibre, so I’m happy to get a good quality race and see where I end up. So to win it is fantastic. I feel everything is slotting in nicely for Doha.”

Jenny Meadows was another World Championship star to add a touch of class to the Kelvin Hall proceedings in the 800m. Taking the lead after the first 200m she led all the way until crossing the line for a well deserved win.

Describing her winter training as having been ‘fun’, the Wigan athlete reported that her stint at a UKA warm weather training camp had gone well and had set her up for a good indoor campaign.

“It’s the first race of the season and you never know what the opposition will race. I felt really comfortable and a win’s a win. The curved bank made me set off fast and it was a little physical but I stood my ground and I will have to get used to that in Doha.”

Helen Clitheroe was another British winner to receive a rousing reception from the crowd. On the last lap of the 3000m she was overtaken by Germany’s  Sabrina Mockenhaupt, but using the 1500m speed that was once part of her everyday armory, sped past over the final 50m for a thrilling win in 9.05.87.

Reflecting on her fast finish she said: “I have got speed this year! I have been training with Trevor Painter (Meadows’ coach) this year, I have not discounted my endurance but have gone back to where I started from and I am really excited about it.

“I did not really want to lead but it’s hard work if you don’t want to be up the steep lanes. I don’t know what I will concentrate on this year, the steeplechase or 1500m- my heart says the 1500m but I will leave my options open and see what happens over the indoor season.”

GB debutante Bernice Wilson was an impressive second behind the world’s fastest woman Carmelita Jeter in the women’s 60m. Wilson set a PB of 7.37 as Jeter’s strong drive pulled the young Brit through, and left Bahamian Chandra Sturrup in third position. Jeter won in 7.19.

Afterwards a gob-smacked Wilson said: “I’m very happy with the way I performed, I was nervous but I got through it, I’m just really, really pleased.”

Another GB athlete taking second was Lisa Dobriskey in the women’s 1500m. Dobriskey looked to be in control but USA athlete Heidi Dahl was able to pull away in the last 100m for a convincing win.

Victoria Barr was third in a quality women’s 400m clocking an indoor PB of 53.83. Jamaican race winner Novlene Williams running for the Commonwealth Select won in 52.83.

Barr said: “There were two good girls in the race so I knew I just had to be really competitive. I’m in good shape and I haven’t run a 400m indoors for a long time. I got a personal best, it’s a good time and I’m happy with that.”

Finally, Helen Pryer took to the boards for the women’s one lap competition but struggled against quality opposition finishing fourth in 24.62. Winner was USA’s LaShuantea Moore in 23.65.

Louise Hudson, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine